YOUNGER GENERATION NON-CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS REJECTING BIRTH CONTROL

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2002 (LSN.ca)  A young Protestant couple has issued a book about the Biblical basis for rejecting artificial contraception.  The couple is part of a growing trend of non-Catholic Christians who have embraced the gift of large families as a blessing.  The Washington Times reports that in their new book, “Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception,” Sam and Bethany Torode note that it was not until the 20th century that Protestant churches endorsed birth control. Prior to that, “They believed contraception would increase promiscuity and encourage adultery by separating sex from procreation.”  Martin Luther and other early Protestant founders condemned artificial birth control teaching that God’s command to Adam and Eve in Genesis “be fruitful and multiply” was meant for us as well.  The Torodes base their opposition to artificial birth control on Genesis 2:24: “Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Mr. Torode explained: “There’s the concept of the husband and wife becoming one flesh. And children are a gift that God bestows on that union. Contraception puts up a barrier in the middle of the union.”  Other Christian groups such as the Internet site www.quiverfull.com advocate large families based on Psalm 127:5: “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”  See the Washington Times coverage at:  https://www.washingtontimes.com/culture/20020711-95707368.htm